Runaway and Homeless Youth Give Back to their Safe Haven by Putting Their Talents to Use Decorating Birdhouses
Residents of The Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children, a safe haven for abused, neglected, and runaway youth, decorated birdhouses as part of the second annual tabletop design contest and gala fundraising event, “Dining Spaces,” sponsored by the International Special Events Society. The event takes place on Sunday, May 22 at the NJ Expo Center in Edison, NJ., for more information, visit www.diningspaces.com.
Edison, NJ (PRWEB) May 16, 2005 -– Runaway and homeless youth give back to
their safe haven by putting their talents to use decorating birdhouses.
Residents of The Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children, a safe haven
for abused, neglected, and runaway youth, decorated birdhouses as part of the
second annual tabletop design contest and gala fundraising event, “Dining
Spaces,” sponsored by the International Special Events Society. The event takes
place on Sunday, May 22 at the NJ Expo Center in Edison, NJ., for more
information, visit www.diningspaces.com.
The birdhouses, which will be
displayed, voted on and auctioned off during the Gala portion of the event,
provided the residents with an opportunity to express their talents while giving
back to the organization that provides them with food, housing, clothing, basic-
and independent living skills education, counseling, referral to support
services and case management services. Some of the residents spent several days
decorating their entries. And in exchange for their efforts, all the residents
will receive gift cards and the designers of the top three most popular
birdhouses will receive participant ribbons.
On her experience decorating
the birdhouses, J. R., a fourteen-year-old girl who resides at the Home said,
"At first, no one was into it [decorating the birdhouses but then everyone
started getting really creative. I wanted mine to be different and stand out so
I painted it pink, green and red, like a Christmas tree. It was
fun."
“Dining Spaces” was started by ISES’ NJ Chapter —a group of
professional entertainers, event planners and managers-- as a way to celebrate
and reward creative entertainers. The event brings together professional
decorators, students, and anyone who thinks they know how to put together a
great time! Competition entrants are given a table, ten chairs and free reign to
design and decorate a themed table for the evening’s Gala. Last year’s entries
included tables resplendent in exquisite floral arrangements, elegant ethnic
themed settings, and even a whimsical beach bash table complete with lobster
netting and suntan lotion. The tabletop competition during “Dining Spaces”
recognizes excellence in professional and amateur party planners by awarding
several prestigious prizes—including a People’s Choice Award, chosen entirely by
the public who come to view the tables and a newly created category, Apprentice,
for novice designers. This year’s celebrity judge will be Mitch Pennell of CBS
reality show, Wickedly Perfect fame. In addition to helping select the best
tabletop designers, Pennell, a past member of the floral design team for the
Academy Awards and Tournament of Roses Parade, will demonstrate the latest in
floral design techniques during the public preview and vendor showcase portion
of the event
Jeffrey Fetzko, Somerset Home executive director and
honorary vice-chair of the “Dining Spaces” committee, said of the “Dining
Spaces” event, “It’s heartwarming to see special event planners devoting their
talents and energy to helping runaway and homeless youth. We are grateful to the
New Jersey Chapter of the International Special Events Society for making us a
part of this exciting event.”
“…I'm excited to see what new and creative
ideas the designers will come up with! I'm also honored that our charity, The
Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children, will be a first time
designer!” Says Amy Serridge, CSEP, “Dining Spaces” co-chair and Event
Coordinator of Flemington, NJ –based Star Events, LLC.
Funds raised
through the silent auction and Gala cocktail and dinner event go directly into
operating funds to provide food, housing, clothing, basic- and independent
living skills education, counseling, referral to support services and case
management so youth can return home or to another appropriate and safe living
situation. Tickets can be purchased online at www.diningspaces.com.
Tickets for the Public Preview are $10. Registration fees for designers are $150
for ISES members and $200 for non-members. Tickets for the Gala cocktail and
dinner are $100 per person, $175 per couple and $875 per table.
For more
information about becoming a tabletop designer for the event, or to attend
either the public viewing or the gala cocktail and dinner reception, please
visit www.diningspaces.com.
For information about the New
Jersey Chapter of ISES or to inquire about membership, contact Roy Evon at
973-328-8600 or visit www.njises.org.
For more information about Mitch
Pennel, visit www.mitchpennell.com.
About the Somerset Home for
Temporarily Displaced Children
For more information about The Somerset Home
for Temporarily Displaced Children, visit www.somersethome.org or contact Tracey Costanzo,
Communications Manager at 908-526-6605.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb238610.htm